Before the modern Internet existed, there were still plenty of ways of connecting with other computer users “online”, ...

For certain high-security devices, such as card readers, ATMs, and hardware security modules, normal physical security isn’t ...

Making a truly flat surface is a modern engineering feat, and not a small one. Even making something straight without ...

Al and I were talking about the IBM 9020 FAA Air Traffic Control computer system on the podcast. It’s a strange machine, made ...

When you’re testing or debugging some mains-powered gear, plugging it directly into the outlet can often be an exciting ...

Robots don’t have to be large and imposing to be impressive. As this tiny quadruped from [Dorian Todd] demonstrates, some simple electronics and a few servos can create something altogether ...

Sometimes, there are too many choices in this world. My benchtop function generator can output a sine, square, or saw wave anywhere from 0.01 Hz up to 60 MHz? Way too many choices. At least, that’s ...

We live in a golden age for MIDI controllers. [rheslip]’s contribution to the milieu is a twisty take on the format, in that it’s covered in an array of knobs. Thus the name—Twisty 2.

Attributed to Picasso was the notion that when art critics get together they talk about content, style, trend, and meaning; but that when painters get together they talk about where to get the ...

Researchers at Stanford University recently came up with an interesting way (Phys.org summary) to create patterns and colors ...

For whatever reason, certain pieces of technology can have a difficult time interacting with the physical world. Anyone who has ever used a printer or copier can attest to this, as can anyone whose ...

Here’s a simple project for your Halloween celebration. The other day while looking through our box of Halloween decorations, we noticed that the incandescent lamp in one of the jack-o’-lanterns was ...